Seasonal flu survivor urges vaccination after near-fatal illness last year

[Commonground]

October 27, 2026
EAST NORTHPORT, N.Y. (WABC) -- What Frank Bosco thought was a routine cold turned into a life-threatening battle with the flu that left him hospitalized for months and serves as a stark reminder of the risks of severe influenza illness.

"I thought it was just a regular cold," Bosco said.

Bosco, 63, of East Northport, contracted the flu during the previous flu season and nearly died, according to Northwell Health officials. He spent 116 days in three Northwell hospitals, at one point requiring dialysis and being placed on a lung transplant list.

Continued: https://abc7ny.com/post/flu-survivo...urge-vaccination-ahead-early-season/19986136/

 

[Commonground]

CIDRAP Op-Ed: The flu deaths we’ve learned to ignore​

Today at 8:12 a.m.
Last week, an Uber shuttled me from a corner café to IDWeek, and I spent the ride on the phone with my mom filling her in on the day. I must have mentioned vaccines, because, as soon as I hung up, the driver, who looked to be in his late 20s or early 30s, asked me what I think about them.

Oh sir, where would you like me to begin?

continued: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/cidrap-op-ed-flu-deaths-we-ve-learned-ignore